@TVP_Bracknell are using a light-hearted approach to engage with the public on Twitter

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Light-hearted and witty comments are helping police officers engage with the public via social media.

A number of officers, inspectors and PCSOs in Bracknell Forest have been given social media training.

Over the last few weeks their efforts have been responsible for a surge in Twitter followers for the Bracknell neighbourhood police team, boosting the @TVP_Bracknell account to 1,049 followers.

Officers are using the micro blogging site to inform people about ongoing incidents, appeal for witnesses to crimes and share elements of their working day.

Communications officer Merryn Hockerday, who trained the officers in how to use Twitter, believes the funny Tweets show a more approachable side of police officers.

She said: “We try to keep the public very informed and use press releases, Facebook and our website to do this in a formal way.

“We think Twitter is a great way for us to show another side of our officers and make them more approachable.

One tweet which received a good response from other social media users was from PC Steve Mitchell. It said: “Sat with a car in ditch. Driver not on scene. Police advice is not to drive in ditches. #oops smitch4458”

@idva12 replied: “@TVP_Bracknell So funny :)”

While @themunchkinbear wrote: “@TVP_Bracknell excellent advice. It’s years since I last drove in a ditch.”

Ms Hockerday added: “The response we’ve had from the public has been really encouraging.

“We’ve had more than 100 new followers since I’ve started training them. I think it’s been successful because people can actually see what the police are up to in a minute by minute scenario.”

However, not all the tweets have been appreciated by other users.

One tweet which kept a score between “baddies” and the police was responded to by @BeBracknell who wrote: “@TVP_Bracknell baddies?! Really? Did they have striped tops, masks and a bag with swag written on? #wearenot5”

Ms Hockerday said: “It is light-hearted, but that’s how we wanted it to come across.

“We will always get negative comments from some people, whatever we do, but the great thing about Twitter is it allows every member of the public the chance to share their opinion with us.